Philosophy for Children (P4C)

Philosophy for Children

Philosophy for Children (P4C) is an enquiry based approach to open up children's learning through the exploration of ideas. P4C was founded by Professor Matthew Lipman. Children are taught how to create their own philosophical questions. These questions are based on ideas form discussion centred around a stimulus. The stimuli can be a picture, a short film, story or an object. P4C can be used cross curricular and a specific based 'Big Ideas.' For example he question might be 'What is intelligence?'

Famous Philosophers

Plato (c. 428-348 BC)Famous For:Platonic idealism & the theory of formsAthenian native Plato, and his role in western philosophy can be traced back to when he was student of Socrates. He also excelled in mathematics, logic, ethics, rhetoric, and religion. He founded the Academy in Athens.

Socrates (c. 469-399 BC)Famous For:the Socratic Method of logic and a founder of Western philosophyHis story began in his hometown of Athens, Greece but unfolded through the writings of his students and fellow philosophers. The field of ethics was the specialty of Socrates and introduced a concept that has been dubbed as elenchus, or the Socratic method. He contributed much to the field of logic and epistimology

Aristotle (384–322 BC)Famous For:Aristotelian logic & theory of soulThe third member who has greatly influenced western philosophy, Aristotle provided ideas in the areas of aesthetics, ethics, logic, metaphysics, politics, and science. He was a student of Plato and teacher to Alexander the great. Nicomachean Ethics is one of the treatises that Aristotle wrote. He believed that ethics should be applied practically, not merely theorizing it.

John Dewey (1859-1952)Famous For:for his ideas on pragmatism & educational progressivismOne of the first men to present the idea of pragmatism as a philosophical concept, Dewey also espoused Reflective Thinking. He believed in the philosophy of education, in which he views education as a “social continuity of life.” This is why he championed Educational Progressivism.

Emma Goldman (1869-1940)Famous For:anarchist political philosophyGoldman comes from the philosophical school of of anarchism.She was a vocal supporter of womens rights and other social issues. The school of anarchism believes a state is harmful, unnecessary, and undesirable, making Goldman, anti-state.